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Fungai Lupande Senior Court Reporter
FORMER MDC-T legislator Timothy Mubhawu yesterday sought to be removed from remand in a case in which he is accused of striking his wife with a machete last year after suspecting she was having an extra-marital affair. The trial started last year in July. It stalled after presiding magistrate Mr Vakayi Douglas Chikwekwe resigned in December 2016. Harare magistrate Mr Gideon Kuvetsa yesterday advised Mubhawu to make the application before a new magistrate handling his case. Mubhawu accused Mr Chikwekwe of conniving with Chief Magistrate Mr Mishrod Guvamombe to ensure that he is convicted.

“After the trial was started afresh by another magistrate I was surprised on September 22 this year when Mr Chikwekwe showed up saying he was called by Mr Guvamombe to continue with the trial,” said Mubhawu.

“My docket was taken to Guvamombe’s office and he is now resident in my matter. Is it procedural for him to keep my docket? Is he the Clerk of Court? He is using the influence of his office to determine the outcome of my case and I wrote a letter to Justice Rita Makarau complaining about the conduct. At the same time the witness is not attending court. I am legally footballed from pillar to post for a crime I did not commit.”

Mr Kuvetsa advised Mubhawu to approach the resident magistrate, Mr Elisha Singano, with his issues. The matter was deferred to December 12. It is alleged that on May 15 last year around 9pm, Mubhawu had a dispute with his wife over issues of infidelity. Mubhawu accused his wife of cheating with a Pastor Mpofu.He dragged his wife into the bedroom and struck her with a machete on the knee and shoulder. Molleen was cut on her right palm while trying to block the machete. She reported the matter to the police leading to Mubhawu’s arrest.